Written by ASAP’s expert immigration lawyers · Updated
Beginning on May 7, 2025, adults 18 years and older need an identification that meets REAL ID requirements to travel by plane in the United States. For example, you can use a work permit card, a passport from the United States or another country, or a REAL ID compliant driver’s license (these have a star in the upper corner of the card). You can see a full list of acceptable IDs here and answers to common questions here.
You can also visit ASAP’s driver’s license page for more information on how to apply for a driver’s license in your state. However, keep in mind that only a REAL ID compliant driver’s license (with a star in the upper corner of the card) will meet REAL ID requirements for travel by plane. In many states, if you are an asylum seeker and you have a valid work permit, you can apply for a REAL ID compliant driver’s license.
You can also read safety tips.
The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) aims to provide factual information about current immigration laws. This information is not legal advice.
All legal content is written and legally reviewed by ASAP’s team of expert immigration lawyers. ASAP’s expert lawyers have decades of experience in immigration law and litigation. Collectively, they have won hundreds of cases. Our lawyers are admitted to the Bar in several U.S. states, hold law degrees from universities including Harvard, Yale, and UCLA, and have won multiple awards for their legal work.